Evidence-based writing
Write conclusions that are concise, traceable and proportionate to the evidence.
What you will learn
- Link material claims to evidence.
- Separate fact, interpretation and recommendation.
- Communicate uncertainty directly.
Evidence-based writing lets a reader distinguish what happened, what it may mean and what should happen next. Blending those elements makes weak assumptions look like facts.
Core method
Evidence-based writing lets a reader distinguish what happened, what it may mean and what should happen next. Blending those elements makes weak assumptions look like facts.
- Define the exact decision or claim before analysing detail.
- Use evidence that is relevant to the stated context.
- Record uncertainty instead of replacing it with confident wording.
Applied case
A report says, “Students dislike the new portal, so it should be replaced.” The source was five support tickets from 4,000 users.
Apply the method
Produce a more defensible finding and recommendation.
Review answer guidance
Five users reported specific difficulties with the new portal; this evidence does not establish overall sentiment. Categorise the tickets, review broader usage and accessibility data, and address confirmed usability barriers before deciding whether replacement is warranted.
Use in an assessment
Apply the method to the information provided in the task. A strong response makes its reasoning traceable and does not rely on specialist facts that are absent from the evidence.
- Read the requested outcome and constraints first.
- Eliminate responses that exceed the available evidence.
- Review whether the conclusion answers the precise question.